Bloom in the time of gloom

By C Shivakumar/ Shiba Prasad Sahu

Chennai:

Business may not be usual in Koyambedu flower market during this week
but the city’s obsession with People’s president Abdul Kalam have
brought some cheer among the people selling flowers.



“The Tamil month of Aadi is usually dull for flower sellers as people
don’t celebrate any auspicious events. But, since last night the sales
of loose flowers have gone up in the market due to city’s obsession
with People’s President Abdul Kalam,” said Mookaiyan, secretary of
Koyambedu Flower Wholesale Market Association,



Interestingly, while the fruit and vegetable markets have remained
closed, the flower market is bustling with activity with women
assembling the flowers and traders bargaining with customers.



Although business is usual, the flower merchants are not oblivious to
the fact that the nation is mourning the death of Kalam. A huge
photograph of Kalam, with his hand on his chin, is seen greeting
customers and is adorned with flowers.



Mookaiyan says that flower merchants were able to sell their
merchandise as there was huge demand of flowers from the president’s
fans across the city who wanted to pay final tributes to him.



“There has been a good sale of loose flowers. The sale has not been
that significant enough but flower merchants were able to sell their
flowers at the same rate,” said Mookaiyan.



Dhanasekhar, a flower seller said that during this month we are avle
to sell 100 to 150 kg of loose flowers, which include jungle rose,
rose and other flowers. But last night, I managed to sell 300 to 350
kg of flowers, he said.



He said people brought flowers from nearby areas of the city and sales
was good till Thurday noon.



He said that usually a total of 10 to 12 garlands were sold. But on
Wednesday and Thursday there has been brisk sale of garlands. “I
managed to sell nearly 25 garlands,” he said.



Interestingly, the popularity of former President Kalam is such that
most streets in Chennai were adorbned with his posters, photographs or
portraits. In Aminjikarai, traders downed shutters as mark of respect.
There was also a Shamiana on the roadside that had Dr Kalam’s photo on
a table. It was decorated by flowers.



Interestingly, the busy market place in Aminjikarai wore a desolate
look. Even in Koyambedu market, there were huge posters of Kalam but
the market lacked the cacophony.



Similarly, in Natesan Nagar park near Chinmaya Nagar, which lies
behind the Koyambedu market, people from different walks of life paid
tributes to People’s President. “It was there since Wednesday night.
Men women, senior citizens as well as children offered floral tributes
to the former president,” said a resident